Heroin Trafficking Crackdown Leads to 23 Arrests: Law Enforcement

NEW HAVEN, CT — A grand jury in Bridgeport indicted 23 people who are alleged to be part of a family-run heroin trafficking ring.

The organization is headed by brothers Bienvendido and Antonio Gonzalez, both of New Haven, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut office.

“We allege that this drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing a tremendous amount of heroin on the streets of New Haven, heroin that undoubtedly also made its way to addicts in neighboring communities,” said U.S. Attorney Deidre Daly. “As the opioid epidemic is ruining lives in our state and across the nation, we and our partners in the DEA, and with the assistance of state and local police, will continue to dedicate resources to target those responsible for trafficking this deadly drug and put them out of business.”

The brothers purchased bulk quantities of heroin from suppliers in the Bronx and sold it through redistributors, including three of their younger brothers, the indictment alleges.

More from U.S. Attorney's office:

On March 15, 2017, investigators arrested Bienvenido Gonzalez, Roberto Gonzalez, Herson Gonzalez, Jorge Luis Ruiz, Jose Manuel Rios, Pablo Jose Cruz, Jose Minaya-Melendez in New Haven. Investigators also arrested Antonio Gonzalez in Puerto Rico. A search of the vehicle that Minaya-Melendez had used to drive Cruz to a stash house used by Bienvenido Gonzalez led to the seizure of a kilogram of heroin. A search of the stash house resulted in the seizure of another 400 grams of heroin and $10,000 in cash. A search of Rios’ residence led to the seizure of 60 grams of heroin and $9,558 in cash.

On March 16, 2017, investigators arrested the remaining defendants named in the indictment, with the exception of Luis Gonzalez, who already was in custody on state charges. On that date, a search of Roberto Torres’ residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 50 grams of crack cocaine and $7,722 in cash, a search of Julio Flores’ residence resulted in the seizure of approximately $18,180 in cash, and search of Andre Miller’s residence resulted in the seizure of two loaded handguns and $4,737 in cash.

DEA agents arrested Rafael Baez on March 23, 2017, in the Bronx, and seized a large volume of heroin packaging materials, including stamps used to brand the heroin, from his residence.

Bienvenido Gonzalez, Antonio Gonzalez, Baez, Cruz, Padilla, Rios, Robles, Rolon-Dones, Ismael Ruiz, Jorge Ruiz, Santiago, Torres, and Minaya-Melendez have been in custody since the time of their arrest. The remaining defendants have been released on bond.

• BIENVENIDO GONZALEZ, a.k.a. “Antonio” and “Julian, 44, of New Haven
• ANTONIO GONZALEZ, a.k.a. “Bienve,” 46, of New Haven
• LUIS GONZALEZ, 40, of New Haven
• HERSON GONZALEZ, a.k.a. “Titi,” 37, of New Haven
• ROBERTO GONZALEZ, 38, of New Haven
• RAFAEL NEFTALI CASTILLO BAEZ, 23, of the Bronx, N.Y.
• PABLO JOSE CRUZ, 44, of the Bronx, N.Y.
• JULIO FLORES, 37, of Webster, Mass.
• CHARLES MAY, 48, of New Haven
• JOSE MEDINA, a.k.a., “Tito,” 46, of New Haven
• ANDRE MILLER, 26, of New Haven
• JOSE MINAYA-MELENDEZ, of the Bronx, N.Y.
• MARCO PADILLA, 50, of New Haven
• WANDA PISCIL, 50, of New Haven
• ELVIN PLAZA, a.k.a. “Jordan,” 39, of New Haven
• JOSE MANUEL RIOS, 42, of New Haven
• LUIS ROBLES 40, of New Haven
• EFRAIN ROLON-DONES, 29, of New Haven
• MARIMAR ROMAN, 23, of New Haven
• ISMAEL RUIZ, a.k.a. “Papo,” 50, of New Haven
• JORGE LUIS RUIZ, a.k.a. “Pito,” 41, of New Haven
• CARLOS SANTIAGO, a.k.a. “Carlito,” 52, of New Haven
• ROBERTO TORRES, 32, of East Haven